Offseason review: Jones-Drew, Gabbert out, Bortles in for Jaguars

Quarterback Chad Henne (7) re-signed with the Jaguars on March 7, giving the team a mentor for rookie Blake Bortles (right), who they selected in the NFL Draft in May.

The Jaguars haven’t played since a 30-10 loss at Indianapolis last Dec. 29, but they’ve still remained in the news through free agent signings, the draft and other roster moves. Here is a recap of the last seven-and-a-half months:

Khan: Time to draft QB(s)

What happened: During Super Bowl Week in New York on Jan. 31, Jaguars owner Shad Khan said he was “greatly encouraged” by the team’s progress in the second half of 2013, but acknowledged what was missing. “I think there’s no secret that we’re going to be taking a quarterback and maybe two,” he said.

What it meant: As it turns out, not much because the Jaguars drafted only one quarterback. But at the time, it made for great Twitter chatter around Jacksonville and the league.

What it meant: A lot. The combine was the Jaguars’ first chance to talk to all of the underclassmen quarterbacks and their first impression of Bortles was telling — coach Gus Bradley raved about his presence during the 15-minute meeting.

Henne gives Jags options

What happened: On March 7, three days before the NFL free agent market opened, the Jaguars re-signed quarterback Chad Henne to a two-year contract. Henne, who started 19 games in his first two years with the Jaguars, said returning was his “first choice.”

What it meant: The Jaguars’ priority was retaining Henne so he could equal parts hold down the starting position in 2014 and mentor the passer of the future.

Goodbye, Gabbert

What happened: On March 11, the Jaguars traded quarterback Blaine Gabbert to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round draft pick. Gabbert finished his Jaguars’ career 5-22 as a starter.

What it meant: It provided the Jaguars with an extra pick but more importantly, eliminated a big-time distraction — imagine if Gabbert was in training camp with Henne and Bortles. Not good.

Jaguars find help for DL

What happened: Less than a week after signing defensive end Red Bryant, the Jaguars added free agents Chris Clemons (end) and Ziggy Hood (tackle) on March 13.

What it meant: The Jaguars prioritized defensive line in free agency with an eye toward offense via the draft. Bryant, Clemons and Hood should help the line improve against the run and pass this year.

Face of the team moves on

What happened: Following eight years, 8,071 rushing yards and 81 total touchdowns, running back Maurice Jones-Drew signed with the Oakland Raiders.

What it meant: The Jaguars were now seeking a new face of the franchise. They didn’t offer Jones-Drew a contract during the free agent process and basically closed the door on him when they signed Toby Gerhart on March 13.

Browns match Jags’ offer

What happened: The Jaguars’ week-long pursuit of Browns free agent center Alex Mack ended on April 11 when he signed a seven-year, $42 million offer sheet that Cleveland matched hours later.

What it meant: The Jaguars had the salary cap space to add a Pro Bowl player so they decided to go after Mack, but instead Mike Brewster remains the center. It also signaled that they were thinking about taking a quarterback with the third overall pick and possibly starting him during the 2014 season.

New face of the franchise

What happened: With the third overall pick on May 8, the Jaguars selected Bortles.

What it meant: The Jaguars hope they’ve found their quarterback of the future, but the franchise was adamant minutes after the pick — Henne would enter training camp as the starter.

Top picks come to pass

What happened: The second round couldn’t have unfolded any better. USC receiver Marqise Lee fell into the Jaguars’ lap at No. 39 and 21 picks later, with Penn State receiver Allen Robinson still on the board, they traded up to take him.

What it meant: The Jaguars knew they needed to add firepower to help make Henne successful now and Bortles successful later. Taking Lee and Robinson also showed the Jaguars weren’t expecting Justin Blackmon to be reinstated at any point of 2014 … or maybe 2015.

Sacks leader sent packing

What happened: During the full-squad minicamp, the Jaguars released veteran defensive end Jason Babin, who led the team with 7.5 sacks last year.

What it meant: The Jaguars re-signed Babin in early March so he made $500,000 for his offseason work. The team went young with Ryan Davis and rookie Chris Smith instead of staying older with Babin.

Here we go again with "reputable" sources...reputable sources are those who agree with you. Remember how reputable these same sources were about Tim Tebow, Bobby Petrino, Derrick Harvey, Reggie Nelson, etc.

The TU is all giddy about jersey sales for Biff. They were equally giddy about jersey sales for Timmy.

Leading the NFL in jersey sales is nothing. It's the leading indicator for people who know nothing about football.

The entire front office has changed? You clearly miss the entire point....which is...the Jaguars' front office continues to make the same mistake. They allow the band of "reputable" sources (TU sports whackers) worm their way into their heads using their ability to positively or negatively influence would-be Jaguars fans.

Six consecutive NON-winning cough-cough seasons. One playoff win since 1999.

2013 - 1999 = 14 (you see what I did here?)

Where do these newbies get off claiming the Jaguars are invincible losers relating to poor comments?

The new face of the franchise is the big question. Will this be another reach to find "The Franchise QB"? I really don't understand the continual quest the Jags have with drafting and thinking that the QB is the one and only answer to the issues with the Jags. Shack did it with Leftwich. Gene did it with Blaine. Now Caldwell has done it with Blake. While I think the choice of Bortles is marginally questionable, I hope he is not looked at as our "savior". If Bortles plays as well as Garrard did for us at QB then I think we have a solid QB to build around. Make no mistake though; if Bortles fails then Caldwell will be gone.

Overall this was a better offseason than many years of the past - we have cap space still and it looked like we were ready to try and use that tool with signing Mack.

I don't get the forcing of draft picks and their playing time. I know you have to give young guys time on the field to learn from their mistakes but it seems strange to sit Bortles while other picks play at the cost of the team. Gratz over Blackmon? Denard over anyone? Why the double standard? Matt Ryan was the #3 pick and started game 1 his rookie year. Seems counterproductive to start guys from last year’s draft to get them valuable playing time yet the most important position on the field is going to sit.

For those of you that believe 100% in Caldwell - I think you are way too premature with the belief and certainly should not be out preaching (looking at you loudmouth RG). For those that hate every move - give them a chance to succeed or fail (cough Jungle cough). "Caldwell threw away such a high draft pick on a novel, non-elite quarterback that may never play a single snap of NFL football." Never play a snap? Come on now. If Blake does not play a snap this year then Caldwell should be fired. There is no reason to draft a QB that high to have him sit.

Hey loudmouth you get your season ticket last week? My bet is you don't put your money where your considerable mouth is.

41% of NFL fans polled at ESPN.com believe that Los Angeles will have a permanent franchise within the next five (5) years.

While the Jaguars goofed by selecting Biff Bortles, many of the minnows at the "official" web site believed that LSU QB Zach Mettenberger was the best available.

Perhaps these true Jaguars fans are feasting on the news that over last weekend Mettenberger was "sucker punched" at a Nashville place called Losers Most Wanted Bar & Grill. This sounds a lot more like Big Ben than Biff does.

50 sacks in 2012. 50 sacks in 2013. And Caldwell thinks drafting MORE quarterbacks is the solution.

I think Jungle is a true troll who is only on this site because he derives pleasure from getting under people's skin... I put him on the ignore list a while ago, his posts are hot steaming garbage. SOS is amusing, particularly when he goes off his meds, but I actually thinks he believes what he is saying which makes it fun.